Taking liberty to the airwaves: BIPPS opposes statewide smoking ban on KET's 'Kentucky Tonight'

(LEXINGTON, Ky.) -- Should government force restaurant and bar owners to ban smoking in their privately owned establishments? Should the Legislature be allowed to trump local smoking policies? Should constitutional principles surrender to health advocates?

These questions will be debated tonight on Kentucky Educational Television’s “Kentucky Tonight,” hosted by Bill Goodman at 8 p.m. (EDT) tonight (Monday, Dec. 19).Rep. Mike Harmon, R-Junction City, will join me in defending limited government that protects private-property rights and local control.

Advocating for a centralized smoking ban out of Frankfort and for government-enforced policies related to smoking in general will be Rep. Susan Westrom, D-Lexington, will be joined by Amy Barkley, director of the Tobacco State and Mid-Atlantic Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids.

Viewers with questions and comments can send e-mail to kytonight@ket.org. E-mailers must include first and last name, town and county in the message for it to be considered for use on air.

The program will be replayed on Wednesday, Dec. 21, at 2 a.m. The show can also be viewed on KETKY on Tuesday, Dec. 20, at 6 p.m. and Thursday, Dec. 22, at 5 a.m.